Friday, March 18, 2016

SOLSC Day 18: Drunk Shakespeare

Drunk Shakespeare — that’s
the name of a performance put on by the Drunk Shakespeare Society. I saw it
tonight with my daughter and her partner (they had already seen it three
times).

The conceit
is drinking: all audience members receive a shot of some liqueur (mine was red;
I think it was grenadine) as we enter the theater, set up like a cozy library
lounge where all the books are arranged by color of binding. There’s a bar, and
you can order a variety of beers, basic wine, or esoteric cocktails. One actor
each night is the designated drinker, starting off with four shots of whiskey —
and an audience member is invited to drink a shot to assure us that it’s real
whiskey.

The evening is like a literate drunken college party of thespians having fun
with a condensed Macbeth, with a fair amount of improv and audience
participation — and more drinking. At one point, Banquo is announcing the
people in attendance, and I was pointed out as Lady Gaga of the Future
(prompted by my white hair and pink bangs?). Later, I was selected to choose a
badass name for Banquo’s son (Fleance, in
Shakespeare’s play), and when I shouted out “Gangsta-X,” I got a fistbump from
Macbeth, and applause from the audience. If you’re ever visiting New York,
and aren’t a recovering alcoholic, I highly recommend this silly romp.